Container with openings and handle attached at openings



A. P. SCHOLTZ Dec. 1, 1964 CONTAINER WITH OPENINGS AND HANDLE ATTACHED AT OPENINGS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 1, 1961 ENTOR. ARTHUR P. SCHOLTZ.

Dec. 1, 1964 A. P. SCHOLTZ 3,159,320

CONTAINER WITH OPENINGS AND HANDLE ATTACHED AT OPENINGS Filed Aug. 1, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 37 INVENTOR.

42G ARTHU RS: OLTZ F. IO BYW Dec. 1, 1964 A. P. SCHOLTZ 3,159,320

CONTAINER WITH OPENINGS AND HANDLE ATTACHED AT OPENINGS Filed Aug. 1, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. ARTHUR F! Scum-r2 BYW A'r'rY.

United States Patent ()fi ice 3,l59,32 Patented Dec. 1, 1964 3,159,320 CONTAINER WITH QPENENGS AND HANDL ATTACHED AT OPENINGS Arthur P. Schultz, Chicago, lllL, assiguor to National Can Corporation, Chicago, BL, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 1, 1961, Ser. No. 128,527 8 Claims. (Cl. 222-468) This invention relates generally to containers and, more particularly, to an improved manner of securing a handle to a container.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container having a plurality of plugs, as, for example, a vent plug and pour spout, projecting through a wall of the container and used to secure firmly a handle to the container.

It is a further and more specific object of the present invention to provide a container of the type stated in which the plugs are mounted on a wall of the container with a handle spanning the space therebetween, the opposite ends of the handle being clamped, respectively, between the plugs and the top wall; and the handle ends are prevented from lateral shifting when the container is lifted by the handle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a container of the type stated in which the plugs are of plastic material while the handle is constructed of sheet metal, and wherein sharp edges of the handle are prevented from cutting into the plastic plug and spout.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a container of the type stated wherein the handle is easily secured to the container at the time the vent plug and pour spout are assembled therewith, thereby eliminating the need for a separate handle-attaching operation during manufacture of the container.

T he attainment of the above and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container handle which forms part of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view partly broken away and on an enlarged scale, of the container;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on an enlarged scale, taken along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of can handle which forms part of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the handle of FIG. 5 secured in place by a plug;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing another form of can handle secured in place by a plug;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of another form of can handle which forms part of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view showing thehandle of FIG. 9 secured in place by a plug; and

FIGS. ll, 12, 13, and 14 are fragmentary sectional views each showing a further modification of the present invention.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the drawing.

Referring now in more detail to the drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, A designates a can comprising a flat rectangular sheet of metal, such as tin plate, black plate, or the like, which is shaped into an enveloping side wall 1 with the overlapping margins of the sheet secured together in any conventional manner as, for instance, by being soldersealed together. Marginally secured to the opposite ends of the side wall 1 by conventional double seams 2, 2, respectively, are sheet metal top and bottom walls 3, 3'.

Adjacent to diagonally opposite corners thereof, the metal of the top wall 3 is struck upwardly to form annular flanges 4, 6 which define spaced top wall openings 7, 8, the opening 7 being of smaller diameter than the opening 8. The uppermost parts 9, 10 of the flanges 4, 6 are curled laterally away from the openings 7, 8.

Mounted over the flanges 4, 6 are plugs 12, 13 which, in the present embodiment of the invention, constitute a vent plug and pour-spout, respectively. These plugs 12, 13 may be formed of a suitable plastic such as polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride. The vent plug 12 has a central neck 14 with a bore 16 extending axially therethrough, and the neck 14 projects through the opening 7 and into the interior of the can. Radially outwardly of the neck 14 the vent plug 12 has a depending rim 17. Between the rim 17 and neck 14 the vent plug 12 is molded with a downwardly opening annular groove 19 which tightly receives the flange 4. A fluid-tight seal is formed at regions of contact of the flange 7 with the vent plug 12. Furthermore, the lower part 21 of the central neck 14 locks under the flange 7 and resists retraction of the vent plug 12 from the position shown once it has been-assembled with the top wall 3. A reclosable captive cap 22 is provided for the vent plug 12, the two being joined by a narrow flexible hinge 23 integrally molded with the vent plug 12 and the cap.

Similarly, the pour-out spout 13 has a neck 24 with an axial bore 25, the neck 24 projecting through the opening 8 and having an enlarged part 26 underlying the flange 8 to resist retraction of the spout 13 from the top wall 3. Also formed on the spout 13 radially outwardly of the neck portion 24 is a depending rim 27 provided with an annular, downwardly opening groove 28 which tightly receives the flange 6 and forms a fluid-tight seal therewith. A hinge-forming strip 31 integrally joins a reclosure cap 31 to the remainder of the spout 13.

Mounted on the top wall 3 is a sheet metal handle 32 having a U-shaped central grip portion 33 spaced above the top wall 3 and including legs 34, 35 which diverge downwardly toward the top wall 3, terminating in opposite ends 36, 3'7. The longitudinal margins 39, 40 of the grip portion 33 may be rolled inwardly so that the raw edges of metal do not cut the hand of the person grasping the handle. Punched through the ends 36, 37 are holes 41, 42 which are preferably of a diameter just large enough to receive the flanges 4, 6. The ends 36, 37 lie flush against the top wall in surrounding relation to the flanges 4, 6 with the ends 36, 37 being clamped firmly against the top wall by the rims 1'7, 27. The clamping forces prevent removal of the handle and also prevent lateral shifting of the ends 36, 37 relative to the flanges 4, 6 when the can is lifted by the handle.

The vent plug 12 and spout 13 are generally retained firmly in position by the interfit of the flanges 4, 6 with the grooves 19, 28. However, should there be any lateral shifting of the handle ends 36, 37 as, for example, when the can is lifted by the handle 32, the flanges 4, 6 will prevent the raw edges of the metal at the holes 41, 42 from cutting into the plug 12 or spout 13.

The handle 32 is prefabricated prior to assembly with the top wall 3 of the can. Prior to mounting the vent plug 1 2 and spout 13 onto the flanges 4, 6, the handle 32 is placed on the top wall 3 with the flanges 4, 6 projecting through the holes 41, 42 respectively. Thereafter, the vent plug 12 and spout 13 are placed over the openings 7, 8 and shifted downwardly until the flanges 4, 6 snap into the grooves 19, 28. When this is done, the rims 17,

27 will bear against the handle ends 36, 37 holding them tightly against the top wall 3. 'The rims 17, 27, being of be secured by a vent plug similar in all material respects to the pour-out spout. V

In FIGS. and 6 the handle 32a has a perforated end 37a integrally formed with a marginal upstanding flange 510 which extends throughout an arc in the order of 240, although the extent of the arc isnot critical. As shown in FIG. 6 the inside diameter of the upstanding flange 51a is sized for a snug telescopic lit with the rim 27 of the pour spout 13. The end 37a underlies the rim 27. The

upstanding flange 51a assists in preventing the end 37a from shifting laterally as the can is lifted by the handle 32a. In mounting the handle 32a onto the can wall 3, the

pour spout 13 is telescoped within the flange 51a, the same procedure beingcarried out with respect to the vent plug at the other end of the handle 32a. With the handle assembled with the plugs,the latter are then secured to the top wall 3. V V 1 In the form of the invention shown in 'FIGS. '7 and 8 the handle 32b is similar to the handle 32a and includes a perforated end 371) and an upstanding fiange 51b. The upper end of the flange 5 1i) hasta plurality of slits 52, thereby to form tabs 53 which are bent over to crimp the spout rim 27 between the tabs 53. and end 37b. The tabs 53]; may be turned over before or after the plug 13 has been snapped onto the flange 6.

In the form of the invention shown in :FIGS. 9 and 10 the handle 32c has a perforated end 37c integrally formed with an annular upstanding flange 54 which surrounds the opening 42c. The spout rim 27 is telescoped over the upstanding projection or flange '54 to surround the latter.

Thus, the flange 54 lies in the groove 28 and'is of a height somewhat less than that of the groove 28. The pour spout 13 is first assembled with the handle 320 by telescoping the rim 27 over the flange 54 whereupon the spout 13 is snapped into the groove 28. The'diameter of the fiange 54c may be slightly less than the diameter of the flange 6 at 55, but the flange 54 will yield, as will the plastic oi'the spout 13, to permit the flange 54 to ride V flange 64. The spout, 69 is formed with an annular bead I 69 underlying the flange 64 to prevent retraction of the pour spout 60 from the can wallGZ. In FIG. 11, a can handle 32d, similar to the can handle 3212, has an end.

37d which'is overlaid by a rim 71 on the spout 60. An

upstanding.- flange 5 10! is integrally'formed on the end handle end 37 The pour spout may be first assent bled with the end 32f by inserting the spout 6%) into the end so that the projection 73 fits into the groove 67. Then thespout 60 is mounted on the flange 67.

In FIG. 14 the handle 32g is similar to the handle 32 V I and includes a hat end 37g clamped between the rim 71 and cam wall 62'. The clamping force serves to prevent the handle end 37g from shifting laterally.

In compliance with the requirements of the patent statutes I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention. It is, however, to be under stood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction herein shown, the same being merely illustrative, of the principles of the invention. What is considered new and sought to be secured by Letters Patent is;

l. A container comprising a container wall having two spaced openings, a handle having two spaced parts thereof respectively surrounding the openings, and means for securing the handle to the wall comprising a 'hollowresilient plugtat each opening overlying the two spaced parts and pressing said parts towards said wall for securing said parts between said plugs and the wall, said plugs being each secured to the wall by snap fitting through the wall with parts or each thereof on both sides of the wall and in fluid tight relationship therewith and forming respectively a pour-out'spout and a vent.

2. A can comprising a wall of sheet material having a pair of spaced openings, the material of the wall being turned to form flanges surrounding the openings, a handle spanning the space between the two openings and having a central grip-forming portion between the openings and outwardly from said wall, said handle having two perforated opposite ends which surround the openings respectively, and a pair of plugs secured to said flanges and clamping said ends between the plugs and wall to clamp said ends to the wall, said plugs having openings therethrough communicating from the inside to the outside of handle spanning the space between the two openings and 37d, and at its end the flange 51d is slit to provide tabs 53d whereby the rim 7'1 and the end 37d.

is crimped betweenr-thetabs 53d In FIG. 12 the handle 32e includes an end 37.9 which' underlies the rim. 71 and an upstanding'fiange. 51e which surrounds .the rim '71. .The-end 37c and flange Sle are similar to the end 37zrgand flange 51a, previously described. V In the form ofithe invention shown in FIG. 13 the telescoped within thefiange ns ne lies within the groove 67. Theprojection 73 is somewhat shorter than the flange 67, the former serving toprevent lateral shifting of the the container, and said flanges being in telescoping rela-. tionship with the respective openings in the handle.

' 3. A can'according to claim 2 wherein at least oneof the handle'ends is crimped to the plug associated therewith. w 4. A container comprising a container wall having'two spaced openings with flanges surrounding the openings, a handle having two spaced ends thereof on the wall and each surrounding'one of the openings respectively, resili-i t openings being turned from the adjacent surface of the Wall to form flanges surrounding the opern'ngs, a unitary having a central grip-forming portion spaced from said wall, said handle having two perforated opposite ends over:

container and constituting at said vopenings a pour-out spout and a vent plu'gfrespectivelyand the spout and a vent plug each havinga reclosable captive cap attached thereto. '6. A container comprising acontainer wall having a pair of spaced openings the material of the wall at the openings being turned outwardly oi the container to form V outwardly.estending'flanges surrounding the openings, a;

plastic member projecting into each opening and snapfitting onto said flanges, the plastic members having bores therethrough from the exterior to the interior of the container and constituting a pour-out spout and a vent plug respectively, and a handle spanning the space between the plugs and being secured to each and held by each against turning about the other as a center.

7. A container having a wall which has a pour out opening and a venting opening, a handle spanning the openings and secured to the can at the two openings by means comprising a plastic spout plug member for one opening and a plastic venting plug member for the other opening, both members having fluid passageways therethrough, said members being plugged into the respective openings and having means for interlocking with said container to prevent retraction thereof from said openings, parts of said handle extending upwardly from said Wall adjacent to said openings, said parts being adjacent to and spaced laterally from the respective plug members.

8. A container having a wall which has a pour out opening and a venting opening, each of which is defined by a rim, a handle and means for securing the handle to the container, said securing means comprising a spout member and a vent member, said members being positioned one in each of said openings and each member including a base of plastic material extending through one opening and each base including as an integral part thereof an outer bearing flange on the outside of the container and an inner bearing flange on the inside of the container,

the inner flange being of a diameter greater than that of the opening through which the base extends and the plastic material being sufficiently resilient to permit sufiicient distortion thereof, Within its elastic limits, for insertion thereof through the opening from the top of the opening and the inner flange being backed on its underside by the plastic material of the base to inhibit distortion required for retraction of the base from the opening through which the base has been inserted.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 231,634 8/80 Wall 222-192 1,130,967 3/15 Du Boe 222 1,142,940 6/15 Davis et al. 222--3.5 1,723,551 8/29 Linares 220-94 X 2,038,119 4/36 Masin et al. 215 X 2,350,205 5/44 Warfield 222-468 X 2,727,659 12/55 Nyden. 2,754,962 7/56 Scrymgeour 21'5100 X FOREIGN PATENTS 744,158 2/56 Great Britain. 1,199,641 6/59 France.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, LAVERNE D. GEIGER,

Examiners. 

1. A CONTAINER COMPRISING A CONTAINER WALL HAVING TWO SPACED OPENINGS, A HANDLE HAVING TWO SPACED PARTS THEREOF RESPECTIVELY SURROUNDING THE OPENINGS, AND MEANS FOR SECURING THE HANDLE TO THE WALL COMPRISING A HOLLOW RESILIENT PLUG AT EACH OPENING OVERLYING THE TWO SPACED PARTS AND PRESSING SAID PARTS TOWARDS SAID WALL FOR SECURING SAID PARTS BETWEEN SAID PLUGS AND THE WALL, SAID PLUGS BEING EACH SECURED TO THE WALL BY SNAP FITTING THROUGH THE WALL WITH PARTS OF EACH THEREOF ON BOTH SIDES OF THE WALL AND IN FLUID TIGHT RELATIONSHIP THEREWITH AND FORMING RESPECTIVELY A POUR-OUT SPOUT AND A VENT. 